Always makes me wonder I we are not "projecting" our ideas to these pics. In some of them you can clearly see something beyond friendly affection (not only the hand holding, but some the way knees or legs touch). But others could just be a friendly pic
You are quite right. It is indeed very tempting to project our notions of love and romance into these pics. Probably the greater number are just "buddy" pics or brothers, or clowning for the camera. Homosexuals in the pre-Stonewal era did NOT advertise the fact - it was a serious crime, a disgusting sin, and a mental illness - you never saw homos on TV or in movies or magazines. Nobody was "openly gay" - your family and friends would have shunned you, and you'd probably get fired from your job. Young people today don't remember the fear of being found out, or how much mental energy it took every day to hide the fact of your sexuality. I remember it well, however.
Still, these pictures offer a pleasant fantasy for our gay minds, as long as we don't mistake fantasy for historical reality. Appreciate your comment, Alex.
Comments are welcome, but please note: this is not a public forum but my personal blog, which nobody is forced to read. You don't like what I write, go find a blog you do like; there are millions of others to choose from. Or write your own.
Polite disagreement is one thing, but rudeness will be deleted without hesitation.
2 comments:
Always makes me wonder I we are not "projecting" our ideas to these pics. In some of them you can clearly see something beyond friendly affection (not only the hand holding, but some the way knees or legs touch). But others could just be a friendly pic
You are quite right. It is indeed very tempting to project our notions of love and romance into these pics. Probably the greater number are just "buddy" pics or brothers, or clowning for the camera. Homosexuals in the pre-Stonewal era did NOT advertise the fact - it was a serious crime, a disgusting sin, and a mental illness - you never saw homos on TV or in movies or magazines. Nobody was "openly gay" - your family and friends would have shunned you, and you'd probably get fired from your job. Young people today don't remember the fear of being found out, or how much mental energy it took every day to hide the fact of your sexuality. I remember it well, however.
Still, these pictures offer a pleasant fantasy for our gay minds, as long as we don't mistake fantasy for historical reality. Appreciate your comment, Alex.
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Comments are welcome, but please note: this is not a public forum but my personal blog, which nobody is forced to read. You don't like what I write, go find a blog you do like; there are millions of others to choose from. Or write your own.
Polite disagreement is one thing, but rudeness will be deleted without hesitation.